Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[JBM73]

HockeyBuzz.com - John Jaeckel - Lots of Pre-Camp Rumors

 

[JBM73]

Seabrook will wear the "A" replacing Sharp.

 

[anotheridiot]

HockeyBuzz.com - John Jaeckel - Lots of Pre-Camp Rumors

wow, I only saw two spots open on the d line this year, Thought TVR was a lock for the third pair if each of two of keith, seabs and hammer were paired up. Actually thought he would be on the top line if it was Keith alone, or third line with Hammer, even though Q would probably rotate the three depending on how the game was going. Runblad would be in the constantly changing third pair. Its fine they are checking out Rosies ankle, but he should be a healthy scratch three out of 4 games during the season, just have him if we need him for the playoffs. I guess they are rolling the dice and thought someone else might pick him up.

As far as the press conference, alot of criticism for the hawks continuing to take questions after making a statement that they could not talk about the Kane allegations. Kane has never had a confidence problem, so you wonder if he is taking his status too much for granted or there really is not much of a case. If there is a settlement we will never know what happened.

 

[averagejoe]

Hi guys.
JBM & AI, appreciate the stories you post. Good job.
Few things to comment on:

1) Versteeg. I liked him. I know AI didn't, and is probably thrilled that he's gone. So long as the Hawks can stay aggressive on offense, it's all good. It's just too bad we didn't get NHL-ready players since Jake Massie and Dennis Robertson are still slated to play in the minors.
2) Kaner. The other day, I thought I ran across an article which seemed to imply that the Buffalo reporter that broke the allegations was similar to the Rolling Stone magazine article on the UVA allegations. Again, it was implied that there may not have been due diligence on the facts. But I can't find it. Plus, we know there have been no charges filed. Add in that a month ago the Hawks went from "entertaining trade offers," but are now "supporting" Kaner, so much so the Hawks organization let him proclaim at the news conference that he's "done nothing wrong." That says a lot to me.
3) Bickell is still dealing with vertigo.
4) Rozsival is "trying out" to regain a defensive position. (I hope he makes it.)
5) Kudos to Car-bomb. Never really cared for the guy until he joined the Hawks. Seems like a big-hearted guy naming his charity in memory of Montador.

 

[anotheridiot]

I would be fine with versteeg if he just kept his damn stick on the ice. I am also excited that some NHL ready players might get a shot from Rockford. Eventually they need to bring up the cheap players in the system instead of constantly getting more veterans at double the salary.

If Kane was not the elite american hockey player, pretty sure things would be different, but did the kings trade Doughty after it happened to him last year. I think Kane is the king of the double standard, but what is really going to happen, a gretsky like trade of Kane? This is no doubt the third strike, I guess the appeal at third to see if he really swung or not. How does an organization emphasize he as two strikes and then not act on the third other than not wanting him in anyone elses sweater.

I hope Rosie makes it too, but he is limited to sitting 3 out of every 5 games as #7. Bottom line is he is slow, great when he gets in position, but getting there is the battle. Again, too much leaning on veterans and not allowing most kids enough time to play here.

Carbomb, well, what can I say. We ordered a thug, we got a guy who decided to play finesse hockey. Ross Rhea knew his role. Carcillo changed his when he got here, ended up retiring as a misunderstood player who played thug to stay in the nhl.

 

[JBM73]

Lack of DNA evidence exists in Patrick Kane sexual assault investigation -- report

Michal Rozsival signs one-year deal with Blackhawks

 

[JBM73]

Former Blackhawks goalie Antti Raanta left off Stanley Cup

 

[ChicagoIrish]

Sounds just like our hawks, get a bunch of kids lined up to step into the D mix, then either trade them away like Clendening and Stanton or bring in a veteran to take their place.

Heard a report from Dan McNEil on the drive that Kane is in south bend and expects to start camp.

Danny Mac is back? Haven't heard that name in awhile, not since he left 670

 

[anotheridiot]

Danny Mac is back? Haven't heard that name in awhile, not since he left 670

Yes, it was shocking that he is on 97.1 the drive, the classic rock station. He really knows about music, he does a sports minute around 35 after the hour. I thought Pete McMurray and him would be battling for bears quotes, but they really have a nice chemistry, even if its just Pete being the laugh track for Mac.

They also air Mike North after bears games.

 

[anotheridiot]

Former Blackhawks goalie Antti Raanta left off Stanley Cup

I guess thats fair, only 14 games, sure were alot of brass on that list though.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

Yes, it was shocking that he is on 97.1 the drive, the classic rock station. He really knows about music, he does a sports minute around 35 after the hour. I thought Pete McMurray and him would be battling for bears quotes, but they really have a nice chemistry, even if its just Pete being the laugh track for Mac.

They also air Mike North after bears games.

I haven't heard about North in awhile either. Last time I seen or heard from him was on the Mancow morning show. Which is also gone, at least I think.

I moved to St Louis about 2 months ago, I miss the sports personalities back in Chicago. Among other things.

 

[anotheridiot]

I haven't heard about North in awhile either. Last time I seen or heard from him was on the Mancow morning show. Which is also gone, at least I think.

I moved to St Louis about 2 months ago, I miss the sports personalities back in Chicago. Among other things.

no, WLUP had a morning show contest, we thought brandmeier was going back but he signed on to Dennis Millers spot on westwood one and is broadcast all over the country now, we only get him on WLS-AM from 9-11, LA has him 7-10. Mancow ended up "winning" the morning show contest on WLUP. I am sure they all stream, you might have Brandmeier on some station too. Other than that the morning shows still pretty much suck.

 

[averagejoe]

Read that Raanta article. He did himself in by admitting to cheering against the Hawks. Apparently, Raanta says he was misunderstood.

Thought it was interesting the article also mentioned that equipment mgr Clint Reif was left off (who committed suicide in January). That was a surprise to me.

 

[anotheridiot]

Read that Raanta article. He did himself in by admitting to cheering against the Hawks. Apparently, Raanta says he was misunderstood.

Thought it was interesting the article also mentioned that equipment mgr Clint Reif was left off (who committed suicide in January). That was a surprise to me.

wow, did not notice that, all that brass and the guy the team played for was not included.

 

[JBM73]

wow, did not notice that, all that brass and the guy the team played for was not included.

There was probably a lot more to the facts behind his death than we were ever privy to.

 

[anotheridiot]

There was probably a lot more to the facts behind his death than we were ever privy to.

yeah, I expected there was more from the beginning, just seems to validate the point they kept quiet trying to get the widow and kids some public money.

 

[averagejoe]

Sorry guys I wasn't around much for the 2017-18 season. Missed a lot of hockey overall.

Heading into 2018-19, I think the biggest need for the Hawks is to find a goalie of Corey Crawford's caliber if not a new Crawford. Nothing against Anton Forsberg, because the Hawks struggled offensively, but if we have some lean games, we need a better backup.

I also wonder if Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook get traded in order to make the defense younger? I love both guys, but Keith in particular (in the few games I saw) seems like he lost more than just a step. He had very little jump.

 

[Payton]

Sorry guys I wasn't around much for the 2017-18 season. Missed a lot of hockey overall.

Heading into 2018-19, I think the biggest need for the Hawks is to find a goalie of Corey Crawford's caliber if not a new Crawford. Nothing against Anton Forsberg, because the Hawks struggled offensively, but if we have some lean games, we need a better backup.

I also wonder if Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook get traded in order to make the defense younger? I love both guys, but Keith in particular (in the few games I saw) seems like he lost more than just a step. He had very little jump.

How does the team get out from under the No Move Contracts of Keith, Seabrook, Toews and/or Kane...

Kane is the only one worth the $$$ right now, and we have a LOT more $$$ and Years committed to these guys..

 

[averagejoe]

How does the team get out from under the No Move Contracts of Keith, Seabrook, Toews and/or Kane...

Kane is the only one worth the $$$ right now, and we have a LOT more $$$ and Years committed to these guys..

Didn't we have the same problem with Soupy several years ago? And the solution was the Hawks absorbed some of the salary with Florida. Or am I thinking of someone else?
Either way, they can find creative accounting deals if another team has interest.

 

[averagejoe]

Free Agency

Chris Kunitz - good solid signing.
Cam Ward - Even an aging 34-year old has got to be better than Forsling.
Brandon Manning - Like the potential but not crazy about the contract price.
Marcus Kruger - I may be in the minority but I'm thrilled we get a guy who knows how to kill penalties.

On a sad note: